Strange Claims and Bad Information

There is a surfeit of badly researched, untruthful information on
Freemasonry available on the Internet. Sometimes it is located on
otherwise excellent websites, and recently I came across an article
titled "The Many Hidden Messages in Masonic Rings" by Darren
Hoye.1, 2 That article contains a number of strange claims, some
of which this article shall address directly, and others which it
shall address indirectly by performing its own examination of the
symbolism of Masonic rings.

One of the problems with Hoye's article is the lack of attributions.
The reader does not know what his sources are when he makes the
claim that "Historically speaking, a Freemason could be executed if
he allowed his identity to be revealed." One can only assume that
he is discussing execution by lynch mobs or government mandate,
though this is not made clear. This is a problem that has existed
only in certain historical authoritarian regimes such as Nazi
Germany, but what has it to do with rings?

Again, later on, he states, "Historically speaking, Masonic rings
were meant to be shown only in privacy of a Masonic lodge." But
without telling the reader where he learned of this, it is
impossible to understand what he is talking about. When and where
was it the custom for rings to be worn only in lodge? And if that
was the case, then what was the purpose of the rings?

Hoye's understanding of Masonic symbolism is also lacking, as he
lists a number of common symbols of the fraternity and either
misrepresents or misinterprets them. For example, Euclid's 47th
Problem is described as "three squares on some Masonic rings,"3
and the Volume of the Sacred Law is described as "[o]pen book
imagery" that is "symbolic of the quest for knowledge". Though Hoye
may occasionally come close to the accepted meaning in some of his
descriptions, a quick Google search reveals the imprecision in his
hazy definitions.

For those interested in a primer on Masonic symbolism, Allen
Robert's The Craft and Its Symbols4 is a great introduction. It is
frequently the book recommended to newly-made Freemasons and has
been, in fact, part of the introductory package distributed by the
Southern California Research Lodge.

The remainder of this article will deal exclusively with the symbols
seen on Masonic rings in the United States. Freemasonry is
remarkably diverse worldwide, and a comprehensive survey would
require a great deal more research.

The Symbols on a Ring

Hoye is correct in stating that there are a large number of symbols
to be seen on Masonic rings. The first three degrees in Freemasonry
are knows as the Blue Lodge and contain an incredible wealth of
symbolism. Among the most common are the square and compasses,
typically the most prominent symbols on a Masonic ring and seen as
representative of the Masonic fraternity as a whole.

Most rings featuring the square and compasses will also feature a
"G" in their center. However, in modern times it has again become
popular to replace the "G" with the All-Seeing Eye (or Eye of
Providence). Both of these represent Deity. Some are packed with a
large number of additional symbols, sometimes too small to make
out. Usually these are taken from the Blue Lodge rituals and will
include the plumb, level, beehive, and Volume of the Sacred Law.

Past Master Rings

After a Mason has served as the Worshipful Master of his lodge, he
will sometimes wear a ring with one of the various Past Master
symbols. The most common of these are the compasses opened to 60º,
typically with a quadrant replacing the square. Inside the
compasses is usually a depiction of the Sun with a face, or a
mounted precious gem.

The compasses, quadrant, and Sun are commonly used as the symbol of
a Past Master in most parts of the United States, and can also be
found on Masonic aprons, lapel pins, and other items.

Aude, Vide, Tace and Other Latin Mottos

A number of Latin mottos can be found on Masonic rings, several of
which are mentioned in Hoye's article. Aude, Vide, Tace means
"to hear, to see, to be silent," and is part of an old proverb that
originally said, "Listen, see, and be silent if you wish to live in
peace."5 It has frequently been confused with similar mottos
such as "To know, to dare, to keep silent." In any case, Aude,
Vide, Tace reminds a Freemason of his vows of secrecy, and thus
makes an excellent inscription for a ring.

In hoc signo vinces is another common Latin motto found on
Masonic jewelry, but it is not used in the Blue Lodge. Instead,
this motto, which roughly translates as "By this standard,
conquer," originally came from the legendary dream of Constantine
I. It has been used as a motto by numerous organizations, states,
and schools since then,6 and in a Masonic context, it is
typically associated with the highest degrees in York Rite
Freemasonry.

Usually accompanied by a double-headed eagle, Spes mea in deo est
is a motto used by the 32º of the Scottish Rite, and translates as
"My hope is in God."

Finally, Virtus junxit mors non separabit is another Latin motto
that will occasionally be found on Masonic rings. Translated as
"Whom virtue unites, death shall not separate," it is a motto used
in the Lodge of Perfection, which is part of the Scottish Rite.

Other Masonic Symbols

Among the other symbols that may be found on a Masonic ring are
included dozens from appendant bodies. Scimitars and stars from the
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (known more
commonly as the Shriners), the triple-tau of the Royal Arch Masons,
and the double-headed eagle of the Scottish Rite are frequently
found. In addition, for many years every Scottish Rite Mason
received a ring with the Hebrew letter yod (which looks like a type
of apostrophe) upon reaching the 14º, or Lodge of Perfection. All
of these rings are common.

The double-headed eagle is the most common symbol associated with
the Scottish Rite. There are several variations. For instance in
some jurisdictions, the symbol for the 32º has a triangle with the
number 32 on the eagle's breast, while the 33º contains a triangle
with the number 33 above the eagle's heads. Sometimes the shape of
the eagle's heads or wings can indicate the jurisdiction in which
it originated, as well.

Conclusion

Examining the symbolism of Masonic rings is not exactly an easy
task, but by becoming familiar with the symbolism of Freemasonry,
most will become plainly evident. Acquiring such a familiarity is
quite simple: most of the symbols in Masonic jewelry are common and
well-known to Masons, and have been written about in dozens of
books. A trip to the public library might provide a wealth of
information, as would a simple phone call to a local Masonic lodge.